Chapter 63: Acid

Haldir grabbed the vile from Legolas. For a spilt-second he did not realise that the stopper was off, but that one split-second mattered.

The contents slashed against Haldir's wrist. The elder elf yelled in pain and dropped the bottle onto the floor, clutching his writ tightly. The little elflings looked at the contents that where spilt everywhere and nearly dipped their fingers in it when Haldir shoved them both away. Galion immediately came running (he's always there when needed) and cleaned the contents from the floor.

Haldir looked at the stunned elflings. "Never. Play. With. Acid. Again." He managed to say. He knew Tavel and Legolas could not simply discover a vile laying in the throne room, or at least, the possibilities of that where truly slim, so Haldir approached Legolas.

"Tavel, excuse me and Legolas for a couple minutes. Don't run off, just stay here and Legolas will be back."

Haldir pulled Legolas away from his friend and just beside Thranduil' throne. Legolas was hesitant and kept looking at his friend, so Haldir took Legolas in his arm and used his free hand to hold Legolas' chin so he would not turn his head.

"Tell me Legolas, and no lies, where did you get that vile?"

"I don't know."

"Legolas Thranduilion, I am being serious. That vile had acid in it. Do you know what that is?"

"Nope."

"Well, it burnt me badly. Now tell me how did you get that vile or your father will be dealing with this when he returns, and your father is much stricter than I."

"Well... me and Tavvy where playing in the throne room and a man came in. He was really tall and he had a big black cloak..."

"Are you saying a Nazgul came?"

"No! He was a man. And he wanted to talk to Ada. So I told him ada was away..."

FLASHBACK

"Where is king Thranduil?"

The man was dressed in a black cloak, he was the size of an elf, and he was no Nazgul. He did not notice the little elflings below until the youngest one spoke up.

"My Ada is the king. But he's gone away now. He'll come back cause he loves me. I'm Legolas and in a long long long long long long long long time I'll be king but if my daddy lives always then I wont be king." Legolas smiled, thinking he had helped this stranger and that he was now his new friend.

"Hmm... son of the king, eh? Legolas Thranduilion?"

"Thats what my ada yells at me when I run away from him when I'm suppose to be napping."

"Well... why don't you and your little friend-

"Tavel is older than me."

"Well, why don't you two play with this vile. It can be QUITE amusing... if you remove the stopper. Or you could splash it on your father... that would, er... please him if you did. Yes. I will be going now."

Legolas received a small vile from the man, who turned on his heel and left.

END OF FLAHBACK

"Legolas! Where you really going to splash the acid at your father?"

"Well... the man said ada would be happy!"

"Legolas you should NEVER talk to strangers, EVER. He could have hurt you! He might have splashed the acid on YOU and you would have this burn!" Haldir showed Legolas the burn on his wrist and Legolas looked in horror.

"I'm sorry Legolas... but..."

Haldir raised his hand to slap Legolas. Haldir was surprised to see Legolas did not try to run, but instead the elfling shut his eyes tightly, a tear running down his face. Haldir sighed and picked up Legolas. The elfling carefully opened his eyes. Haldir was rocking him in his arms.

"No punish?"

"No punish. I have to tell your father about this, he will deal with it however he feels he should. But I will be nice and not bother you..."

"Thanks Hal. You're really nice." Legolas kissed Haldir on his cheek, hugging him tightly. "I love you Hal." Legolas whispered.

Haldir took Legolas by his hand and led him back to Tavel. "Now, you two will not talk to strangers again, will you?" Haldir asked, and both elflings shook their heads.

"Galion seems to be gone... ah yes, barrel lifting today."

Legolas and Tavel's faces brightened. "Can we go watch?" Both elflings asked Haldir, who laughed and smiled. "Yes, of course. I will come to. Lets get your snow clothes on."

To Be Continued...

Mistopurr: Yes, the flashback was from Haldir:An Elfling's tale - or at least, based on a part in the story. It's not exact to what I had writen but I do not have a back up so I could not simply copy and paste...